Baylor Department of Geology Screens Energy Documentary on Earth Day

WACO, Texas (April 22, 2013)--Fossil, nuclear and renewable energy sources are undergoing profound changes. The world is gradually shifting from coal and oil to the energies of the future.

This transition is the subject of the energy documentary film "Switch." Now playing at more than 300 universities, Baylor's department of geology will present a screening of the movie at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, in Bennett Auditorium of Draper Academic Building, 1420 S. Seventh St.

"With the help of Arcos Films, the department of geology has decided to give Baylor and the surrounding community an opportunity to understand more about where their energy is coming from and how they affect our future energy needs," said Justin Von Bargen, Baylor University master's candidate and organizer of the screening.

Nonpartisan yet revolutionary, "Switch" unites diverse audiences in a shared understanding of energy. Filmed in 11 countries over two years, Scott Tinker, Ph.D., director of the Bureau of Economic Geology and the State Geologist of Texas, gets straight answers to the most controversial energy questions from energy specialists around the world.

"The film is an ideal platform for understanding energy since it is an unbiased search for truth. "Switch" leader Scott Tinker discovers answers regarding all forms of energy from experts in many fields such as International Leaders, the Academia and Industry professionals. Regardless of your stance or knowledge of energy, everyone will learn something new," Von Bargen said.

For 10 years, Tinker has been searching for the truth about the world's energy transitions. In "Switch," he sets out on a journey to relearn everything he has ever known about energy to answer questions about what it will take to go from the energy that built the world to the energy that will shape the future.

"Switch" has received several awards including winner of "Best of Fest" at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival.

The screening is free and open to all Baylor faculty, staff and students.

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University's oldest and largest academic division, consisting of 26 academic departments and 13 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. Faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences